Memory Foam-What Makes it So Special?
The story of memory foam is well known these days. Memory foam originated at NASA in the 1960′s and 1970′s out of a need to improve aircraft cushions. Technically it is made from polyurethane modified to increase its viscosity and density. It is popularly referred to as visco-elastic polyurethane foam. Its open cell structure and high density is what makes this material unique – responding to your temperature and conforming to the shape of your body, thereby reducing pressure points. No other material behaves quite like memory foam.
Space Age Visco Elastic Memory Foam
What should a consumer look for to ensure they are getting a quality product and not a cheap knock-off?
There are basically 3 measures of quality a consumer needs to consider.
1. Density. Measured in pounds per cubic foot (PCF). Probably the most important property you need to know before buying a memory foam bed. Most quality memory foam mattresses have a density in the range of 4 to 6 pounds per cubic foot. This is the optimum comfort range for most people. A 4 pound per cubic foot memory foam mattress will be softer than a 6 pound mattress. The 6 pound mattress will be firmer. Both will conform to your body, the firmer mattress will just take slightly more time to mold to your shape.
2. Thickness. Look for a memory foam mattress with a thickness of 3 to 5 inches. Anything less than 3 inches starts to fall into the category of a topper. It is just not thick enough to effectively conform to your body. Anything above 5 or 6 inches is just wasting material and money. Too much memory foam and people feel like they are sinking into the mattress. Some of the more expensive memory foam beds use more than one layer of memory foam. For example, a 3 inch thick high density memory foam layer (5.5 PCF) followed by a 2 inch thick low density memory foam layer (4.5 PCF) on the top. This gives you a total of 5 inches of memory foam.
3. Indention Force Deflection (IFD). This characteristic is more of a scientific measure of firmness. You want it to be in the range of 12 to 16. If this value is not listed, most credible manufacturers will give it to you if asked. Sometimes a consumer will see terms like ILD (Indention Load Deflection) or just “Compression”. Sometimes you will see the word “Impression” substituted for the word Indention. All these terms are similar and are essentially a measure of firmness.
Memory Foam Bed Components
Memory foam beds are made of 3 essential components in order to offer the consumer the best possible experience.
1. Bottom Portion of the Mattress. The lower part of the mattress is made of conventional foam. A memory foam bed made out of 100% memory foam would be too soft. The lower support material has absolutely no springs.
2. Top Portion of the Mattress. The top portion of the mattress is made of the memory foam layer. This may be a single layer or multiple layers of memory foam depending on the quality and cost.
3. Platform Support Frame. The frame must be a flat platform structure. This is very important. You just can’t take a memory foam mattress and throw it on a conventional box spring mattress, unless it is the type that is completely rigid.
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